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Waterfront Development Update

In a recent blog post BNE highlighted that downtown Buffalo is seeing development and investment at an unprecedented level. With over $1.5 billion in completed projects and another $1.5 billion under construction or planned, the momentum our region is exhibiting cannot be denied.

The scale of investment is enormous, but just as impressive is vision of the larger, anchor projects. The redevelopment of the Inner Harbor and Canalside – undoubtedly the most anticipated and visible of these projects – will transform the land on the Buffalo River and around the First Niagara Center into a vibrant destination for residents and tourists to enjoy year-round. The 425 activities that were held in 2012 drew 500,000 visitors and in 2013 Canalside has a 70% increase in event programming already scheduled.

At last week’s breakfast meeting of the WNY Chapter of the NYS Commercial Association of Realtors, Thomas Dee, President of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. (ECHDC) provided further insight into the activity happening today and what is slated for the future. This project is past the tipping point, Canalside is no longer a plan but instead a reality with three significant projects already underway. The $30,000,000 renovation of the former Donovan Building into One Canalside featuring hotel/office/retail space, the groundbreaking for the Buffalo Sabres $170,000,000 HARBORcenter, and the reconstruction of the historically accurate canal system are merely the beginning. Just as tangible are the projects that will reconnect Canalside to Ohio St., the Buffalo River, and Outer Harbor.

Below you will find a link to download the presentation that outlines all the activity. The slides provide an impressive visual impact of how downtown Buffalo will look for future generations, but the context of Mr. Dee’s passion cannot be represented. If you have not been involved in the public meetings or seen the district in person recently, you are urged to get involved.

Please click this link to download the presentation. (There were some issues with the document opening with certain Adobe/Internet browser configurations. In order to access the highest quality document, please right-click on the link and select “Save Link (or Target) As…” to download the PDF).

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Buffalo Niagara Enterprise is a nonprofit regional economic development organization representing the eight counties of western New York. Business development services are provided at no cost to businesses considering the Buffalo Niagara region for expansion.